* WTC Final: ICC outlines Covid-19 measures
The final of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Test Championship (WTC) between India and New Zealand is set to be staged under a bio-secure environment, taking into account Covid-19 counter measures for the event. It is scheduled to be held at the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton, England from 18-22 June and has been granted exemption by the UK Govt. as outlined in the Health Protection Regulations 2021, which were released on 17 May. The regulations listed a series of sporting events that would be allowed to go ahead in England which includes the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) international fixtures. As per the requirements, the Indian team have spent 14 days in a bio-secure location in India where regular testing took place, before arriving in the UK on 3 June via charter flight. Before departing, Indian players needed evidence of a negative PCR test. They are currently self-isolating at an on-site hotel at the Hampshire Bowl in line with the rules.
* French Open: Title defending Swiatek ousted by Sakkari
Defending champion Rafael Nadal had taken the first set 6-3 in his French Open quarter-final versus Diego Schwartzman last night when wefinalised this edition. Top-seed Novak Djokovic was to meet Matteo Berrettini. Greece’s Maria Sakkari beat defending champion Iga Swiatek 6-4, 6-4 to reach woemn’s singles semi-finals. Sakkari will face Barbora Krejcikova after the Czech beat Coco Gauff 7-6 (8-6), 6-3. The 17th seed Sakkari is, interestingly, the highest-ranked player left in the women’s tournament.
* Netherlands beat Ireland in ODI series
Fred Klaassen and Logan van Beek picked up three wickets each before Stephan Myburgh (see photo) anchored the chase of 164 with a 111-ball 74 to give Netherlands a 2-1 series win over Ireland in the third ODI held in Utrecht, Netherlands on Monday (7). Scores: Netherlands 166/6 (Stephan Myburgh 74, Max O’Dowd 36; Simi Singh 3-29) beat Ireland 163 (Harry Tector 58, George Dockrell 40; Fred Klaassen 3-23, Logan van Beek 3-29) by four wickets
* NBA play-offs: Embiid helps Philadelphia 76ers beat Atlanta Hawks
Joel Embiid had a play-off career-high 40 points as the Philadelphia 76ers levelled their Eastern Conference semi-final series with the Atlanta Hawks yesterday (9). The 76ers won 118-102 at home to make it 1-1 in the best-of-seven series. Earlier on Tuesday, Embiid came second to Nikola Jokic in voting for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for 2020-21. And the Utah Jazz, the No. 1 seed for the play-offs, opened their Western Conference semis by edging a 112-109 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.